birdw0rds

I’ve started reading John Fowles’ Journals Volume 2 – the first thing I bought on the birdkindle, but only now chewed on.  Despite being written in the ’60s, the early entries are thus far interesting, relevant, and engaging.  Most probably because Fowles always has such an image-rich descriptive skill and way of expressing ideas that grips.  I recommend.

NYC Marathon Training the 2010 version has begun not so much in earnest as in a dribble.  A 5-bridges Saturday morning 13-miler with fellow joggers was warm, but splend:

And just  a few images from excellent, recent Martha’s Vineyard and Bermudan long-weekends that involved much in the way of beach, water, sun, cycling, and sloth:

Share on Facebook

Freshkills Park, Staten Island, being built upon the infamous landfill and largest human-made entity on Earth, is on its way.  It’s huge, ambitious, and the rubbish heaps are well-capped, but it’s sort of in the middle of nowhere by NYC standards, so not sure how or whether most folk will actually visit it en masse.

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

Second week jogged in at just over 30 miles, included an excellent bright, cool jaunt with a couple of Flightmates via the NYC Bridges II route. Up and over the exposed, Hell Gate chunk of the Triboro’ (sorry…RFK…) Bridge is always fun, and added value of a skip around the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and a cable car ride back to Manhattan.  First ‘race’ down too: a cold Central Park 5 miler in the name of Lebow – didn’t push it pacewise, but  Manhattan Half is a mere week+ away, so eyes, and legs, on that.

Share on Facebook

The 2010 race(s) to Joysey.  Weekends’re filling up already:

- Sat Jan 9: Fred Lebow 5 miler
- Sun Jan 24: Manhattan Half
- Sun Feb 7: Gridiron 4 miler
- Sun Feb 21: Cherry Tree 10 miler
- Sun Feb 28: Al Gordon 4 miler
- Sun Mar 21: NYC Half
- Sun Mar 28: Colon Cancer 15K
- Sat Apr 3: Flushing Meadows Half
- Sun Apr 11: Danbury CT Half
- Sun May 2: NJ Marathon

Share on Facebook

A new track as preview to the very much unfinished new Birdw0rks album, ‘Henka’:

LISTEN HERE

or subscribe to the Birdw0rks podcast via iTunes.

Share on Facebook

Cool, bright, and fast. Another 3 mins. off the birdlegs best:

Share on Facebook

To raise cash for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as part of my Fred’s Team NYC Marathon charity run this year, I’m selling my DSLR and accessories. The camera’s about a year old, has been gently handled, and is in perfect working order. Total cost of everything new was approx. $1,800 and I’ll consider any reasonable offer – email me if you’re interested. (I’ll be posting for auction on ebay in a few days time.)

List of items (original cost):

Canon EOS 40D digital SLR 10.1 Megapixel Camera Kit: includes camera, rechargeable battery, and EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens ($1,300)
Specs here

Canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III Autofocus Lens ($150)

Canon 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens ($150)

All lenses fitted with glass UV filters ($10-12 ea.)

2 Lexar Compact Flash Memory Cards: 2GB 80X, one unused ($25 ea.)

Remote Switch, RS-80N3 ($50)

Power Adapter Kit, ACK-E2 AC ($60)

2 camera / lens bags ($25 ea.)

Share on Facebook

Sunday morn provided just about perfect running conditions here in NYaaark.  And hence, the birdlegs were able to record their fastest half marathon time to date (by a mere 40s, but still…).  Seems that I’m definitely quicker in the cool.

After rising around half four (ughhhh), a quick spin down an empty Lexington Ave. to Grand Central, the 7 Subway to Flushing and a further 6 or 7 miles cycle out to College point (wise move to take the bike given the queues for the shuttle bus), it was a 7 AM (ughhh) off for the Queens Half Marathon.  Weather was cool and bright, and the humidity comfortably low for a change.  I’d rested the pins for a couple of days and running was as comfortable as is has been for months – am now touching a large chunk of wood hoping that the injury spate of this year is over.  First 10 K or so felt fab (I told myself “this is as good as it gets, appreciate it yer fooker!” more than once), was tough going up a hills over the last few miles, but I was confident of exceeding my original 2 hour goal almost the whole way.  A relative sprint over the last half mile meant I came in faster than the Bronx Half in Feb. by that whopping 40 seconds or so and I maintained a pace well under 9 mins. per mile.  Cycle back got the legs warmed down nicely n’all.

Share on Facebook

Listen HERE
Podcast subscription HERE